La. Supreme Court to Hear School Vouchers Case Tuesday

Challenge over whether funds can be used for private schools

Attorneys on both sides of the debate over using state funds to pay for students to attend private schools are honing their arguments for a showdown Tuesday with oral arguments before the Louisiana Supreme Court.

No witnesses can be called and each side has a limited amount of time to present arguments. Written arguments already have been filed, so justices are familiar with the case.

Baton Rouge District Judge Tim Kelley's ruling that using the funding formula, known as the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP), violated a constitutional provision that says the fund can only be used for public schools has drawn national attention. Organizations on both sides of the issue are at loggerheads arguing for separation of church and state or for offering children the best chance for an education.